by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Like all Minnesota seniors running in the state meet on Saturday, there is less than a week to prepare for their final race of their fall sport. Jesse Bahen is peaking at the right time and this is the last time to peak for the ultimate race as a senior cross country runner.
Jesse Bahen is a senior cross country runner at Cloquet High School, Cloquet, Minnesota. He is a descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe and his parents are Jim and Kelly Bahen of Cloquet.
Jesse Bahen belongs in his final state meet because he earned it and to run being healthy. “I’ve been to the State Cross Country Meet two years in a row but have competed injured both years. And this year I’m heading back to state stronger than ever.”
“My strengths I bring to my team are not only my individual racing ability but as a leader to help my teammates through training and to have a positive experience through hard training,” said Jesse. “My tribal value is zoongide’ewin/courage by not fearing to let it all out there and give it my full effort when I’m racing.”
Jesse’s best running times include a 17:02.5 5k, a 4:49 mile, and 10:23 in the two mile.
“I pr’ed by a half a second in the section meet,” said Jesse. “Finished in 17:02.5 and our boys team qualified for state. But I also would have qualified as an individual. I got 11th overall and the top 15 qualify.”
“My goal for section was sub 16:50 and my state goal is 16:39,” said Jesse.
Jesse described his section race: “I started off not as not as warmed up as I’d usually like. Although I did not need to warm up into it at all as I ran a relaxed 5:12 first mile. I was not feeling as sharp as was hoping and kept weaving back and forth between the mid-top pack throughout the race. I kicked it in the last 200 or so meters to leave behind the mid-top pack and push to finish as fast I could. I was not satisfied in my race as a whole, but I know the State Meet will be the last stepping stone to complete a successful season.”
“I was really pleased with the way Jesse ran at Sections,” said Chandra Allen, Cloquet HS Head Cross Country Coach. “He ran a strong, smart race. He is where he wants to be going into the State meet next weekend. We will start tapering this week and like to see a big time drop from him.”
A note to college coaches: “I plan to attend and run at college but I’m open and not decided on one yet,” said Jesse.
